One of Belize’s best Ancient Maya Temples, Caracol is deep in the heart of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve of the Maya Mountains in the Cayo District.

Covering an area of nearly 25,000 acres, this site is impressive not only for its size, but also for its immense agricultural field system and elaborate city planning. Caracol is one of the most pristine and well-kept Maya sites in Belize. If you want to see an amazing piece of our history, head to Caracol.

Numerous carved monuments establish that Caracol was a major player in the geopolitics of the Classic period Maya world. It was an ally of Calakmul in Campeche, Mexico and engaged in several wars with neighboring polities such as Tikal, Naranjo and Ucanal in Guatemala.

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The main temple, Canaã, (“sky place”) offers you incredible views of the surrounding jungle. At 143 feet high, it is the tallest manmade structure in the country. The ancient Maya created not only a spectacular structure but also incorporated excellent acoustics so that priests and rulers using normal speaking voices could be heard clearly by the masses assembled in the plaza below.

From the town of San Ignacio, Caracol is a 2-½ hour drive. Take the Cristo Rey Road and drive towards Mountain Pine Ridge until you reach Douglas D'Silva Forest Station. Drive another 45 minutes until you reach the Caracol Archaeological Reserve.

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